monaboyd | Fate

Title: Fate
Author:

dylan_dufresne
Pairing: BB/DM
Rating: G
Summary: Dom recalls a memory.
Feedback: Would be appreciated, but unbeta'd so please forgive my errors.
Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality. This is why fantasy is so popular.
A/N: A follow up to Fond. For

illblancesgrl who wanted to know what happened next.

Rehearsals are nearing the end of their second week when it happens. The nagging feeling that’s been plaguing Dom ever since he met Billy finally comes to light.

It’s during lunch on a Friday that he comes across Billy and a production assistant, huddled around a battered and apparently well loved guitar. Cradling the wooden instrument in his lap, Billy patiently tunes it by ear before strumming the strings a few times and starting to play. A few bars later, he opens his mouth and begins to sing. The beautiful sound flowing from Billy’s lips steals Dom’s breath and pulls him back through time.

It was during a weekend trip to London with his mates about three years ago that it happened. Ending up alone when the others had picked up some birds for the night while at a club, and Dom was left to entertain himself for the rest of the evening. It didn’t bother him though. He wanted some time on his own. After wandering around the city for over an hour, exploring, he’d gotten caught in a sudden downpour and a small cafe on the corner was the closest place open.

He was at the counter, wiping the rain from his face with a napkin and ordering a cup of coffee when he heard the sound. The most beautiful voice Dom had every heard, cutting through the din and flowing over him like silk on bare skin. It tugged at his heart, his very soul, and Dom was powerless to resist.

The owner of the voice wasn’t performing on stage like Dom would’ve thought, but was sitting with a small group of friends, apparently celebrating a birthday. There was a small cake on the table, blazing with candles. And of course, they were singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to a lovely, petite brunette with sparkling blue eyes. Despite his best efforts, Dom couldn’t help but watch out of the corner of his eye and listen. To his dismay, the song only lasted a minute, but it left a indelible mark, much like a black Sharpie, on Dom’s memory.

The group of friends left a short while later, before Dom could work up the nerve to introduce himself and tell the stranger how much he enjoyed his singing. How lovely his voice was. Such an impression was made that Dom wrote everything he could remember about the singer in his journal before going to sleep, not wanting to ever forget a single detail. He dreamt of green eyes and ginger hair that night, later cursing himself for not speaking up.

Pulled back to the present by Billy’s lovely Scottish lilt, Dom can’t help the smile spreading across his face. A fluke encounter and a missed opportunity, only to be given a second chance years later on the other side of the world. It’s in that moment that he believes with his whole heart that he and Billy were meant to meet and become best mates.

He wonders if Billy believes in fate, too.

* * *

That evening at the pub, Dom chews on his lower lip and fidgets with the frosty mug of beer resting on the table between his hands.

“What’s going on with you?” Billy asks. “You’ve been acting weird all afternoon.”

“Have I?” Dom replies. “Sorry. Just got something on my mind.”

When Dom finally looks up from the table he finds Billy waiting patiently for him to continue.

“Well?” he prompts. “Are you going to tell me or do I have to guess?”

“Do you believe in fate?” Dom blurts out before he can lose his nerve.

After taking a sip of his whiskey, Billy reclines to settle against the padded booth and gives Dom a thoughtful look.

“I mean, do you think some things are just destined to happen, no matter what you do? That there are experiences you have that lead you-”

“I know what fate means, Dom,” Billy interrupts with a gentle smile. “I’m just thinking.”

“Sorry.”

“I think fate plays a part in our lives,” Billy says before taking another sip of whiskey. “But I also think that the decisions we make every single day can change the direction of our fate. That nothing is certain until it happens.”

Dom smiles softly. “Me too.”

“Why do you ask?” Billy quirks an eyebrow at the younger man.

“No reason,” Dom replies evasively before lifting his mug to his lips and taking a healthy swallow.

“Dominic.”

Pulling a face, Dom flinches. “Don’t say my name like that,” he begs. “You sound like my mum when I’m in trouble.”

“Dominic,” Billy repeats in the same tone, giving Dom a knowing look. “Out with it.”

“Okay, fine.”

Hesitantly, Dom tells Billy about the coffee shop in London. How he’d gotten caught in the rain and listened to Billy sing Happy Birthday with his friends. How he’d only remembered when he heard Billy playing the guitar earlier.

Throughout the story, Billy says nothing, his eyes surprisingly devoid of expression. When Dom finishes, he takes another sip of his whiskey and purses his lips in thought.

“Did I just completely weird you out?” Dom asks nervously, cringing inwardly.

“No.”

Dom eyes widen with surprise. “No?”

With a bemused smile finally gracing his bow-shaped lips, Billy leans forward and laces his fingers together.

“Do you remember visiting the Berlin Zoo when you were just a lad?” Billy asks quietly, deep green eyes focusing intently on Dom’s face.

“Yeah, sure,” Dom replies, wondering what that has to do with fate. His brow furrows in confusion. “Why?”

“Well, the day I saw you there, you were watching the dolphins. I figure you must’ve been about eight years old.”

Dom’s jaw drops, eyes wide with shock.

“And by the way,” Billy adds, “You haven’t changed much since then.”

Dom can’t find the words and can only stare, a cheeky smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, face alight with joy.

“So yes, Dom,” Billy finishes, eyes twinkling. “When it comes to you and me, I do believe in fate.”

* * *

fin

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Date: 2005-03-01 04:08 pm (UTC)

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